A SLASHING of speed limits in Winchester should be introduced, says the city's would-be Labour MP.

Patrick Davies, the prospective parliamentary candidate, said the speed limit reduction to 20 mph should be widely introduced if the public support them.

Some streets in Winchester do have a 20mph limit, such as Upper Brook Street, but they are the exception.

Mr Davies, a former city councillor and long-time environmental campaigner, said: "The county and city councils need to work together to bring in 20 mph zones wherever local people want them.

"The councils have shilly-shallied far too long on this important issue. I hope the new guidance from Government will stir them into real action."

Mr Davies said all residential areas to be consulted on whether they want the lower speeds.

The Government is considering reducing the urban speed limit from 30 mph to 20, and in some rural areas cutting the limit from 60 to 50.

It wants to see fatalities on the roads cut by a third by 2020.

Robert Gifford, of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said: "The 20mph zones are proven to save lives and that is especially important when thinking about children and the elderly."